House Bill No. by Representative Amedee seeks to amend existing laws regarding child custody in Louisiana, specifically addressing the arbitration of child custody and visitation matters. The bill establishes that arbitration for these issues is against the public policy of the state, rendering any agreements that mandate such arbitration void and unenforceable. Additionally, it prohibits state courts from recognizing or enforcing any arbitral awards related to child custody or visitation.

The bill also modifies the criteria under which Louisiana courts may apply foreign child custody laws. It specifies that courts need not apply these laws if they violate fundamental human rights or are manifestly contrary to the state's public policy. The new provisions outline specific conditions under which a foreign custody law would be considered contrary to public policy, including the failure to grant fundamental constitutional rights, the lack of a best interest standard for children, and the disregard for domestic violence considerations.

Statutes affected:
HB1198 Original: 13:1805(C)